MOLINE, Illinois — After nearly 50 years without a gymnasium, Quad Cities Christian School has a new home for its basketball and volleyball teams.
The $3.3 million project started last May, funded through community donations and a loan. Students like sophomore basketball player Ayda Kyer said they're excited to have a space of their own.
"It's just super cool to have a new gym where we can play our sports, and have like a team home where we can be confident in our school," Kyer said.
She's been attending QCCS since she was in preschool and has played basketball since fifth grade. Her team faced off against alumni to celebrate the grand opening.
Also in the expansion are two locker rooms, bathrooms and two more classrooms.
Superintendent Jeremy Steiner said enrollment at the Jr. and Sr. High School campus has grown by 50% over the past three years. There are currently about 170 students.
"We rented out many facilities over the past several years," Steiner said about venues for practice and games. "And we finally came together as an organization and said we need to do this for our students, and to sustain the growth."
Few people have seen the school change than Laura Stout. She was a teacher starting in 1993, left for a few years, then came back as principal from 2018 to August of 2022.
"The biggest change? I would say class size, such an improvement in our facilities and expanding, modernizing," Stout said.
The gym won't just be used for sports. Stout said it will be helpful as a space for indoor recess. Steiner said the science fair and this May's graduation ceremonies will also be held in the gym.
This is just the first phase of expansion at QCCS. The school will take on three other phases of construction, with the final goal of moving the elementary school campus into the Jr. and Sr. High School campus.
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel